March 3, 2014 has been designated the first ever World Wildlife Day by the United Nations. It is an opportunity to celebrate our planet’s incredible variety of animals and plants, and to raise awareness about the need for global conservation of all living creatures on our planet.
This day was chosen as the World Wildlife Day as it was on this day the Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) was adopted. The Convention plays an important role in ensuring that international trade does not threaten the species’ well being.
Here is a small gallery of images showing wild creatures that can be found on the Northern Great Plains.
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- Burrowing owl. Great Sand Hills, Saskatchewan
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- Black-tailed prairie dog, American Prairie Reserve, Montana
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- Northern Showeler, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
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- American Avocets. Saskatoon,Saskatchewan
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- Western Madowlark. Zortman, Montana
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- Mule deer. Great Sand Hills, Saskatchewan
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- Canada Goose. Sakatoon, Saskatchewan
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- Male greater sage grouse displaying on breeding grounds.
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- Least Bittern. Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
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- Plains bison grazing. Grasslands National Park, Saskatchewan
Dr. Branimir Gjetvaj is a biologist and internationally published environmental photographer specializing in western Canadian landscapes. He leads photography workshops and photo tours, and gives public presentations on photography, natural history and conservation biology topics.
We’re so happy to see the prairie represented on World Wildlife Day. Thanks for including these grassland creatures found on American Prairie Reserve and across the Northern Plains – amazing shots!
Hello Katy. Glad to see that you like the images. Keep on good work with the American Prairie Reserve. It is a great place to visit.